2.0 Analysis 2.1 Inter-Unit Agreement and MANOPS Requirements ATC MANOPS, Section 362.5, states that in order for control of an IFR aircraft to be transferred between a sector controller and a tower controller, VFR meteorological conditions must prevail. The MOU between the Sault Ste. Marie control tower and the Toronto ACC stipulated that automatic transfer of control from the sector controller to the tower controller would be permitted if the officially reported weather was at least 3,000 feet and five miles. Since the reported 1800 EST weather conditions were lower than those required by the MOU but were above VFR limits, the tower controller assumed responsibility of the inbound aircraft in accordance with section 362.5 of the MANOPS. After the sector controller cleared BDIT22 to the contact approach at Sault Ste. Marie, the sector controller delayed the instruction to switch to the tower frequency at Sault Ste. Marie for more than one minute. 2.2 Tower Controller's Plan of Action The tower controller's plan to coordinate the departure of ONT294 and the arrival of BDIT22 was based on the assumptions that control transfer of BDIT22 and direct pilot-controller communication with BDIT22 would be established at least four miles from the airport. This would allow the tower controller to request BDIT22 to overshoot the active runway and fly a circuit while ONT294 departed. The plan did not take into account all variables, and ONT294 should not have been cleared to the runway to hold in position in anticipation of all events unfolding as planned. The plan did not proceed as expected because the transfer of control took place in proximity to the airport and the tower controller cleared ONT294 for take-off without first establishing direct pilot-controller communications with BDIT22 to ensure separation from ONT294. 3.0 Conclusions 3.1 Findings The tower controller initiated a transfer of control for BDIT22, and the sector controller agreed to the transfer of control. The tower controller positioned ONT294 on the active runway without first establishing direct pilot-controller communications with BDIT22. The tower controller cleared ONT294 for take-off before establishing radio contact with BDIT22. After clearing BDIT22 to the contact approach at Sault Ste. Marie, the sector controller delayed the instruction to switch to the tower frequency at Sault Ste. Marie for more than one minute. 3.2 Causes The tower controller positioned ONT294 on the active runway and cleared it for take-off without establishing direct pilot-controller communications with BDIT22. The Board has no aviation safety recommendations to issue at this time.4.0 Safety Action The Board has no aviation safety recommendations to issue at this time.